Chains of Destiny

Confession: I queried this story again. Next week I’ll talk more about why and what’s happening. But today I want to highlight novel number 13 Chains of Destiny, before it joins Stone of Darkness on my shelf of completed novels as only the second novel ever to avoid the dreaded story drafts folder, also known as, the story graveyard, where crap goes to die.It took me 4 months to write the first draft. I realize that’s not turtle speed, especially considering I started over from scratch halfway through. But I usually finish stuff in about 8 weeks, 10 if I waste time freaking out about it, which is most times. When I finished, I wasn’t 100% happy with it, but I sent it out anyway because I really liked it overall. I knew part of my hesitation was over the fact that I liked my original intro better. But it just wasn’t the right way to start the story.

After that, I spent the next three months trying to work on a couple of new stories. I couldn’t focus because if you read what happened with querying Chains of Destinyhere, it was pretty brutal and abnormal. I probably should have just taken a break (and from now on I will and just got off of one.) But I didn’t this particular time because I kept reading on the writing boards how the best way to distract yourself while querying and get over a broken heart when it goes awry, is to throw yourself into another story. However, everyone is different. I should have been crying, not trying to work on something new. So I’ve gone back to what I’ve always done in the past – taking a mandatory break between projects.

Anyway, after a few months of juggling projects (something I’m not good at and won’t be trying again anytime soon), I realized I felt restless and unsettled about Chains of Destiny and had to fix it because I can’t stand having a finished novel and knowing I can do better. So I went back to it and rewrote the beginning from scratch AGAIN. It was a lot of work, but I’m happy with the results and it was fun so it’s all good. 🙂

Enjoy this behind the scenes (Lol!) look at Chains of Destiny before it’s placed in the COMPLETED NOVELS folder!!! I don’t know why I’m so excited, but it feels incredibly good to be done with this.

Hero & Villain Spotlight

Reagan of Connors

(The Pillar/Protector of Ispartia)

vs.Adria of Malais

(Immortal Princess & Queen of the World)

Reagan became Pillar at the age of 17. It happened quite suddenly so to say she was unprepared doesn’t even begin to cover it. Amidst her plethora of new responsibilities, she has to cope with the violent death of her family and the fact that she’s been missing from the world for the last 20 years.

Adria took the throne at age 16 after the freak accident that was her own mother’s death. Thanks to some mutated healing waters curtsey of her majesty, she’s been 16 and gorgeous for almost 20 years. The Pillar is her biggest threat because Reagan is the only other person in this world with powers.

Love Diamond Untangled

Felix of Bristol

(Swordmaker & Rightful King of Ispartia)

vs.

Demarco of Broderick

(Dolofonos aka Assassin)

Felix meets Reagan on her first day back in Ispartia and immediately starts pushing her to accept her fate and help him gain control over the kingdom. Meanwhile, he’s been ignoring the rather obsessive advances of the princess, driving the girl to go to dangerous extremes to get his attention.

Demarco was on the verge of running away from his responsibilities when Adria found him hiding away in a secluded corner of the woods. Twenty years later, he’s past tired of her jerking him around and sees Reagan as his only chance of escape. The more he pulls away from Adria, the closer he gets to Pillar…and the closer she gets to him as well.

Thanks for stopping by! I’ve started a new project this week and I hope you all join me and wishing this next story good luck. ^_^

Wishing you all the best with this project. LOVE the name Reagan on so many levels. 10 weeks–can you teach a course? I wrote my first novel over 10 years *hangs head in shame* and my second during NaNo. I need to find balance. 😉